![]() | #196 |
BHPian ![]() | ![]() Guys, My uncle is moving down from US to Chennai and wants a preowned car. He knows nothing about cars and wants me to take the decision. The need: 1. Brand value. Most important factor as it takes a center stage when he is talking to his investors. From his suit to the car he drives adds points. 2. Drive quality and safety 3. good comfort for 4-5 adults 4. No ultra maintenance cost Why pre-owned: Since budget is 20-22 lakhs and the need brand and image, we looked at preowned. Driving Style or Need: 1. Will be chauffeured always 2. Monthly around 1200 to 1800 kms which will include city and highway I am totally confused on what to suggest or look for. We came across a BMW 3 series top end though the car was superbs, the rear space was a major let down. It was a 2008 model, 2nd owner, 36k and quoting 16.5 lakhs BMW 530i - Fantastic car, 19k, 1 owner, expecting 23 lakhs Audi A4 petrol, yet to check the car. Please help on 2 models I should target so that I can do a focused search. |
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![]() | #197 |
Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Bangalore,Coorg
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| ![]() Be aware that the holy trinity is not cheap to maintain so find a car that has an extended service warranty or those full service cover packages like BSI in BMW. Since space is an issue look at 5/a6/e. A bit more expensive though |
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![]() | #198 |
BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Kerala
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| ![]() Hi, I would suggest a 2009/10 pre-owned 5 series, a 525d or 530d. I was in the same dilemma as you a few months back. You may have a look at my thread for the options I considered back then. http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-d...unlimited.html Try to get a car under BSI for peace of mind. My car did not have BSI, but so far I have had a very peaceful ownership, touch wood. Keep us posted. Thanks |
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![]() | #199 | |
Distinguished - BHPian ![]() ![]() Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Liverpool/Delhi
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![]() | #200 | |
BHPian ![]() Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Ludhiana
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1. Petrol cars are easier to maintain 2. You'll get a second hand petrol car at a throw away price. The BMW 530i you're getting, don't be surprised if you're the first decent buyer he's found in months. he seems to be offering it for a very very good price ! Considering a brand new will cost upwards of 45 lacs. It'll bring much better snob value to the table than an A4 as its a completely different segment. I say go for it ! | |
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![]() | #201 |
Senior - BHPian ![]() Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: !!!!
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Infractions: 0/1 (5) | ![]() i would suggest you to look at a non conventional option- the Volvo S80- you can get terrific bargains if you get a good used example, pretty good brand value, bullet proof mechanicals and sofa like rear seat. |
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![]() | #202 |
BHPian ![]() Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MUMBAI
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| ![]() the 530 is obviously the previous gen, its a good idea to consider a pre-owned from BMW itself if they have cars available (here in mumbai they do), however its worth exploring a good A4, the early ones are going cheap as well, for eg 2009 for 16 or so and the 2010-2011 for 20 or so. The Volkswagen Passat is a great car and also worth considering, as suggested in the earlier post |
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![]() | #203 |
BHPian ![]() | ![]() Thanks guys for all the suggestions. Keep them coming. I am summarizing my replies based on the various thoughts. Volkswagen: Not in contention due to brand value Volvo: Again loses out in brand value plus availability of spares seems to be in question and we need to be completely dependent on the dealer for spares which is something I dont want to . BWM exclusive: They dont have many cars in my price range, they have all 26+ and also their prices are like 1-3 lakhs more than the market!!! Currently, it looks like 5 series or A4. WHat about Merc? |
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![]() | #204 |
Distinguished - BHPian ![]() ![]() Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Liverpool/Delhi
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| ![]() Are you sure you wanna go for a petrol vehicle? With a running of average 1500 km/month its going to cause quite a bit of heart burn. |
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![]() | #205 | |
Senior - BHPian ![]() Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Bangalore
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The 530i is a good weekend car, 1800km a month will surely cause heartburn as pointed by drmohitg above. Any idea of actual efficiency? 25 Lakhs should get a good German diesel to be chauffered in, not factoring in performance as brand is the major criteria here. | |
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![]() | #206 | |
Team-BHP Support ![]() ![]() Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mumbai
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Avoid the 3, its not a good chauffeur driven car, unless your uncle will sit in front. See bmw.in, the pre owned part. There is a 320i in Chennai, it may interested you. Will be lighter on the wallet than a 530i. My suggestion, like someone mentioned - check out the Passat, you will get a sparsely run car. It will be lighter to maintain (not by too much) and will have better ride than the Bimmers while giving better fuel economy. | |
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![]() | #207 | |||
BHPian ![]() | ![]() Quote:
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CHecking out a A4 tomorrow. Quote:
Like I said, he is clear, only wants a Audi, BMW, or Merc due to brand reasons in his circle. Last edited by GTO : 1st May 2013 at 10:10. Reason: Please use the EDIT or MULTI-QUOTE buttons instead of typing one post after another! | |||
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![]() | #208 | |
Distinguished - BHPian ![]() ![]() Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bombay
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Pre-owned cars in the US are a good option as the conditions are better. However for India I would suggest going in for a new car. The Skoda Superb in this case is the best option. No preowned car in your price range will give you the back seat legroom and features that the Superb has. And since he will be chauffeured always he can even get the manual 1.8TSi version that is available at a great price, even better now since discounts are heavy considering the facelifted Superb is released internationally. | |
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![]() | #209 |
BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: SF Bay Area
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| ![]() Hi, So we have some special requirements for our next car. Currently we own a Civic and a Brio hatchback. Civic primarily as highway car and Brio for city drives. (my mom is not comfortable driving Civic in city e.g. to a local market etc) Now, we want to replace both the cars with just one good car. Reason being Civic gets very sparingly used and just sits idle most of the time. (apart from a drive out of town on weekends) Budget : around 25-30 lacs Preferably from a German brand. though Japanese cars are also good. Preferably not Korean. Another question is, is it worth going for high end cars if you are not going for their flagship models? (e.g. getting a merc A class instead of C or E). Do they offer the same feel? |
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![]() | #210 | |
BHPian ![]() Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Mumbai
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